Welcome, Fall!

That was the title of one of Ryan's favorite library books as of late that we just returned today, on its due date. I have been pretty good about delivering our library books on time recently since racking up quite the fine of an amount that I will not be divulging. Just know it was bad, and maybe share a story with me about your own New York Times best fines list to make me feel better. Hmmm, I wonder if due date delivery will be a trend around here??

I know that everyone proclaims, "Pumpkin spice lattes! Boots! Scarves!" when that can't-keep-its-balance season comes around. I love all of that, too, don't get me wrong, but you know what I think has been the biggest perk as of yet? My poor ironing skills and efficiency can be covered up by Chris donning a sweater. Mediocre housewife seasonal winning.

Besides that perk, I adore fall at Notre Dame. Breaking news, no? The changing leaves can cancel out any chilly weather incident where I'm the mom at the playground with a running toddler with a runny nose and zero tissues on hand.

For all of September and until last week, we were preemptively compensated for surviving the pending permacloud in the currency of golden sunshine. We spent so much time outside! I'd bike around the lakes until we would find the trio of a swan family. It was perfect. The paths were normally busy with runners and walkers, but they were usually spaced out enough that I could take swigs of Ryan's stale straw-cup water without a single rogue eyebrow judging me. Ryan would go nuts tossing fallen walnuts into the lake, and I would get my thrill of the day by sitting under the walnut tree attempting to be Isaac Newton pre-gravity discovery. There were some pretty close calls, but I have yet to feel the impact of a falling walnut on my nut so thank you, Guardian Angel!

The temperatures have sadly decreased, but our need to be outside hasn't. Thanks to this week being fall break, we have our our backyard all to ourselves. A positive: wider windows of time for the aforementioned straw-cup sneaking. A negative: Waddick's, the sweet cafe in the Arts and Letters building with equally addictive breakfast sandwiches and scones is closed for the week even though this is potentially the last week of my pregnancy and, thus the last week of my pregnancy craving excuses. Hmph.

This afternoon we ventured out once again and discovered a new game: how many ways can I try to get a toddler to keep his hat on? Incentives and distractions were the winners today. Cross your fingers in your mittens that I can win the battle again tomorrow.

Seven Quick Takes

Happy Friday! Linking up with Jen like its my job. 

1. Okay, I need to get this off my back. Yes, I know it is, "Get it off my chest," but you will see why I altered the saying. Tonight we got to go to a dinner downtown. Chris wasn't home when Ryan and I were getting ready, and I was just a tad frustrated with my closet and its overemphasize on items of clothing that I have worn to death. I slipped ... okay tugged, tugged and tugged this dress on and while I was zipping the dress up in the back, Ryan came with whatever request and I followed. I was satisfied that I was already dressed to go and Chris wasn't home yet because, well, normally I am not. It was a great night even though it is a bad idea to sit at a table with a toddler when the dessert is already set out. 

We arrived home and pregnancy called so I made a trip to the bathroom right away. I hope my kids never call me out on my own potty dance. After washing my hands, I turned to grab the towel to dry my hands and saw the top back of my dress since my hair was pulled to one side. IT. WAS. OPEN. 

Ugh. 
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(all those i's are what happens when you are falling asleep writing. IIIIIII am not deleting it).

And it wasn't like people didn't see it ... there were 600 people and I was up walking around a bunch when everyone else  was sitting since Ryan + chairs for more than three minutes is just an combination that Ryan doesn't approve of. And I was sitting smack-dab next to the priest!!

2.  We went to the pumpkin patch twice this week. 

3. I mentioned that I have the thrifting bug. Well, on Tuesday I went to a Goodwill recommended by Kathryn. I just kept tossing finds into my cart with grand plans for all. I wasn't planning on buying it all, but when you promised your son he could play with a trophy at the thrift store only to find not a single trophy in the store, you speed shop while he is occupied with some non breakable decorative pig. Anyway, I got to the counter prepared to only buy half of it once I heard the final price. Somehow the cashier told me that my total was $7.22. What? I kept asking her if she got everything, and she assured me that she did. Okay, if you say so! So I walked away with two frames, a toy basketball, some fake fall leaf branch things, two Christmas wreaths, a blanket, a wooden tree cut out, a blue and white plate, and three vases for $7.22.

4. Speaking of the leaf branch things, I needed them to cover the wires on our wall from the TV. But ... they smell! Not thrift store smell, but more of a bad potpourri smell. Any tips on how to get them to not smell or should I cut my losses even though remind me up my triumphant thrift shop and get different ones?  

That was really lame quick take. My apologies.

5. Last night we happened upon a group of bag pipers practicing on campus. Who needs a big city for some sidewalk music?

6. We have been listening to Royals by Lorde on repeat all day, everyday this week. I might be late to the party, but I am royally enamored with everything about it. 

 
7. Halloween Link-up.
Chris always jokes that Halloween is my excuse to wear a dress with some stretch of a costume idea because I'm too lame to wear a real costume.  

He is probably right. 

Seeing that I might be wearing a hospital gown for my annual Halloween dress instead of admiring everyone else's awesome costumes on the trick-or-treat trail since my due date is right before the orange and black holiday, I would like to host a Halloween Costume link-up! All ages welcome, of course. Will you join?

Stay tuned for more!

Ryan in the womb; Ryan the Lion

No Coats in November

We had dreamy weather on Saturday here in South Bend. High 60s in November definitely merited a family walk along the St. Joseph River without coats and hats. 

A baby boy, his football and his dad (this was moments after I was rejected!)

I termed this weekend as a "Lovefest for Dad" because Ryan just adored Chris. Up until now, I could confidently name myself as Ryan's favorite person in the whole wide world (I am the food lady, after all) with Chris as a close second. However, Ryan actually cried for the first time in his ten months out of the womb when I took him from Chris and reached back for his dear dad! I gasped out of surprise and my heart felt a teensy little jab from the rejection, but the proud and jubilant smile on Chris' face melted that almost instantaneously away. It won't be long before my boys start ganging up on me! 

A baby boy, his football and his mama

The rest of our weekend was spent discussing, watching and dreaming about college football. 10-0 for the Irish! How was your weekend?

A Fall Afternoon on God Quad

Mother and son, our fall boots

If you have ever visited the Midwest in the fall, you know how breathtaking it can be. It is a color explosion. The reds, yellows, oranges and browns mixed with the leftover lively green leaves that are the remnants of summer create such a vivid canopy above your head. The fallen colors weave a rich and crunchy blanket under your feet. Crunch and crinkle are the sounds of fall, and this year I added Ryan's, "Ooooo," that he repeatedly cooed at the colorful canopy up above us  to my favorite sounds of the season.

We are so lucky to playfully call campus, "our backyard." Ryan and I just plop down among the leaves and grass and soak in the fall air a few times a week. My curious baby boy also enjoys tasting every other leaf that he picks up (a new take on fall food, didn't you know?!). We probably make the stressed students burdened with papers and midterms green with envy when they see that Ryan's only care in the world is whether or not there will be enough leaves to crush in his hands. Sorry, students! I've been there! Take a break, and enjoy your time!

These photos are from October 9th when God Quad started to burn with autumn colors.

 

Happy that fall is here, runny nose and all.

What is your favorite part about fall? Do you have any fun traditions like apple picking or pumpkin carving?

P.S. I've taken a lot of photos during these fall afternoons so be prepared for a few more posts like this one scattered throughout the next few weeks!